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This page is about band leader Tal Henry. For violinist Tal Henry, see Tal Henry.

Tal Henry
Tal Henry
Background information
Origin	Maysville, Georgia, USA
Genres	Big band Swing Jazz
Occupation(s)	Bandleader
Instrument(s)	Violin
Years active	1919-1946
Labels	Victor, Bluebird, Sunrise,

Tal Henry(July 10, 1898 – August 17, 1967) was a famous American orchestra director in the "Swing Era",and the "Big Band" era. Tal's associates, peers and friends included Bob Hope, Duke Ellington, Hal Kemp,Vincent Lopez, Paul Whiteman, Kay Kyser, Fred Waring, Jimmy and Tommy Dorsey and many other greats of the time.

Tal Henry and his North Carolinians Orchestra were recognized widely as Tal's photo was on the front of Max Hart Inc Magazine and on Orchestra World Magazine. He was presented the Exclusive VICTOR Artists recognition proclaiming Tal Henry as The Prince of Personality with a great Orchestra from the Cotton Belt of North Carolina…..he had become the “South’s Finest …One of American’s Best.” Miami News wrote that Tal Henry is here at last and his “knock-out” orchestra of Victor Recording Artists. “One of America’s greatest entertaining and novelty orchestras…A sensational hit” …. A orchestra that radiates enthusiasm, life and action….people recalled the nostalgic, favorite enchanting swing and big band music Tal Henry played for the patrons. Tal directed the orchestra with 11 talented musicians. The eleven piece band took on other musicians, making a total of fourteen sensational orchestra. They were at the Roseland-on-the-Merrimack where Tal Henry and his clever artists were one of the outstanding dance orchestras in America in 1931. They were known far and wide throughout daily radio broadcast over the networks of the National Broadcasting Company, featured particularly through Station WEAF in New York. In addition they won world-wide fame through their hundreds of Victor Red Seal records. He returned to the Hotel New Yorker after the Roseland booking. United Artist had the movie "Coquette" with Mary Pickford at LOEW'S PALACE the week of April 15th,(no year stated.) Tal Henry was billed with Mary Pickford on stage with "Coquette." Thomas Meighan played with Mary Pickford in early movies with no sound. Tal Henry and his North Carolinians provided the sound track.Sara R. Henry (talk) 13:42, 5 June 2009 (UTC)

Early life

He was born in Maysville, Georgia. At the age of 7, he started playing the violin. Tal left Maysville in 1914 to attend Shenandoah Conservatory of Music located in Dayton, Virginia. The school moved to Winchester, Virginia. After his education there, Tal went to Elon College near Burlington, North Carolina where he taught violin.

In early 1919, he began playing with the Frank Hood band and made his home in Greensboro, NC. In 1924 Tal Henry took over the band and formed the Tal Henry and His North Carolinians Orchestra where he played in the O’Henry Hotel in Greensboro. The orchestra moved north to Washington, PA playing the dances and events at the Washington Hotel. The orchestra had a contract to perform at the formal opening of the Hotel Charlotte when the hotel opened in 1924. The orchestra moved on to the Mound Club in St. Louis where he signed with William Foor-Robinson Orchestra Corporation of America. The Tal Henry orchestra went on to Harrisburg, PA. Ed Fishman introduced Bob Hope and George Byrne to Tal Henry and His North Carolinians and booked them into the Stanley in Pittsburgh. They traveled Vaudeville for sixteen weeks, going from town to town playing wherever the act could find work.

Career

Tal Henry and His North Carolinians Orchestra were formed in 1923. The orchestra entertained from New York to Miami, to Maine. East, North, West, South in the USA. Sixteen weeks in Vaudeville with Bob Hope. The orchestra performed in the New Yorker Hotel, Peabody Hotel, Baker Hotels of Texas, Casinos, Roseland Ballroom, Hershey Park Hotel, Steel Pier in Atlantic City and other Ballrooms, Theatre, Parks, Madison Square Garden, Loew’s Palace, Million Dollar Photoplay Theatre. Tal Henry’s photo shown on the cover of Bill Board Magazine, Orchestra World and Max Hart, Inc. and several Piano Sheet Music. Listing of Victor Records…Victor RCA, Bluebird and Sunrise are all Victor Records. Washington, DC. The President, Franklin D. Roosevelt Birthday Ball. European Director of Music Theatre in 1940’s with USO and Radio City Music Hall, NBC Network Coast to Coast, First Radio Hook-Up SS STARR off Aleutian Island to Tal Henry at Baker Hotel Jan. 13, 1930. Broadcast WLW, Cincinnati, WJZ-NBC New York City, WEAF Danbury, Conn.

There was always a place for the orchestra in New York City. The Dorsey Brothers, Tommy and Jimmy practiced with the orchestra when they were in the city. By the middle of the 1920s, the orchestra was nationally known as a famous band with Victor Records, Bluebird and Sunrise records. In 1928, the orchestra produced two Warner Brothers and Victor Record Company's Vitaphone films. These Vitaphone Shorts were used in theatres, radio, photoplay theatres, Loew’s Palace and other standard movie theatres. Vitaphone was the first sound film technology to gain widespread acceptance in the early Swing Era offering audiences the closest approximation possible to a live performance. The orchestra played many of the movie theatres in the orchestra pit, on stage, in hotel ballrooms, and any other venues where the orchestra performed.

Tal Henry and His Orchestra was billed at the Hershey Park Hotel,and on the advertisement,dated Wednesday May 25, 1932, the admission was 50 cents. They were also billed Saturday May 21, 1932 with "Harlem's Aristocrat of Jazz", Duke Ellington, followed on May 28, 1932 with Vincent Lopez. Memorial Day on May 30, 1932, had Opie Cates and His Orchestra. Tal Henry recorded Victor Records, Bluebird and Sunrise recordings in New York City on May 6, 1926, Camden, New Jersey on April 25, 1928. New York City on May 22, 1928, New York City December 5, 1928 and New York City on February 7, 1934.The Elitch Gardens in Denver, CO., opened in 1890. Tal Henry performed at the ballroom "Trocadero" shown from an advertisement in the 1920's or 1930's, with a photo announing the coming of Tal Henry and His North Carolinians at the 8:00 dance in the Elitch's Gardens Ballroom, a huge tremendous beautiful part of the park. It was interesting to see the number of famous musicians that played in the ballroom. In the Elitch Theatre one might find Douglas Fairbanks, Grace Kelly, Fredric March, Geroge Brent, Edward G. Robinson and many other actors performing in the theatre.

Tal Henry moved from East to West, to North and South. When performing at the Hotel New Yorker, he would have a reunion with Hal Kemp and Kay Kyser, enjoying ole' times sake. Hal Kemp, Kay Kyser and Tal Henry were playing in near by cities. Hal was at the Manger Hotel while Kay Kyser was at the Bamboo Gardens in Cleveland. All three were from North Carolina with great success with their orchestras. Tal had a contract with Hotel New Yorker for weeks at a time. Dinner was on the Summer Terrace and the Empire Tea Room with $1.00 to $1.75 prices for their formal dinner. The orchestra played for the dances and events in the ballroom of the hotel, the Manhattan Room and the Summer Terrace for all occasions.

The first Dance Marathon was directed and conducted by Tal Henry and His North Carolinians Orchestra at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Tal left New York many times to play other cities. He and Jack Marshall went to the Grand Opening of the New China Cafe at 1614 Euclid Avenue on a Saturday on August 30 (year not noted) according to the news ad that showed they would be broadcasting in Cleveland, Ohio over WTAM. In the New China Cafe, the customers had a chance to hear their favorite song by entering the name of the tune on the entry card and asking for a request to be playedSara R. Henry (talk) 20:23, 3 June 2009 (UTC)

During the Great Depression, many of the famous musicians disbanded the bands and began to look for work or to make a come back if they could raise the funds for recruiting more musicians. Tal Henry did not disband the orchestra until 1938. At that time, he became the agent and manager for some of the fallen bands and musicians. Some were famous names, like Lionel Hampton, Randy Brooks, Ian Ray Hutton, Nat "King" Cole, and Larry Clinton.

When the World War II began, Fred Waring and Kay Kyser wrote to Special Services in the Army, suggesting Tal Henry become the European Director of Music Theatre. In 1944 through 1946 Tal was traveling England, France, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Switzerland and the French Riviera in Cannes. He produced some of the USO and Radio City Music Hall productions. Tal Henry was with Glenn Miller on the day he left an airport outside of London to fly to Paris. That plane was lost in the fog of the English Channel and Glenn Miller never made it to his destination in Paris where the members of his band were waiting for his arrival. After the war was over Tal Henry returned home and began to play in the King Cotton Hotel. He also performed with the North Carolina Symphony.

Remembrance of Tal Henry

In 1995, long after the death of Tal Henry, the UCLA Festival of Preservation began to appoint actors and donors to restore old movies and Vitaphone Films to be screened in the UCLA Auditorium where the media, actors, families of the producers and associates could view on films. On April 30, 1995 the Tal Henry, Jr family received an invitation to the screening of Tal Henry's Warner Bros. Victor Recording Company Vitaphone Short film for the first time showing in Hollywood. Sara and Tal Henry, Jr. attended the screening where Tal, Jr. was introduced as the only living relative present at the event.

Soon after the trip to Hollywood, Sara and Tal Henry, Jr. moved to Palm Beach for a year. While searching for the Big Band Hall of Fame, a neighbor was found to be the founder of a new Big Band Museum. The Tal Henrys returned to North Carolina and went back to Palm Beach with the Swing Band and Big Band memorabilia they donated to the upcoming Big Band Museum. The museum was completed and a special dinner dance was held at the Mar-A-Lago Club. The Tal Henry family were honored guest on February 3, 1998 as the late Tal Henry was inductee (posthumouly) while the Tal Henry, Jr family became charter members of the Palm Beach Big Band Hall of Fame Museum. Later, memorabilia was placed in the University of Pacific by Dave Brubeck and the UCLA Vitaphone Film was placed into the Movie Image Museum in Astoria, NY. Sara R. Henry (talk) 02:09, 9 June 2009 (UTC) Personal Married Florrie Tidewell Henry Two Children are Jane Delores Henry Hardin75.181.60.240 (talk) 17:02, 7 June 2009 (UTC) Tal Henry, Jr.

Tal Henry and His North Carolinians OrchestraSara R Henry (talk) 01:19, 2 June 2009 (UTC)Tal Henry and His North Carolinians Personnel: Tal Henry - Violin & Leader Walter brown - Carinet, Alto Saxaphone & Vocalist Doc Dibert - Cornet Francis Ellsworth - Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone Walter Fellman - Clarinet, Soprano Saxophone, Alto Saxophone Charlie Hudson - Drums Paul Kenestrick - Piano Chet Lincoln - Trombone Harold Madsen - Vocalist Gordon Martin - Cornet Ivan Morris - Banjo, Trumpet, Vocalist Chester Shaw - Brass Bass, Vocalist Taz Wolter - Vocalist

1923 in Washington, DC "Skirts" by Tal Henry and Guy Funk (Music and Words) 1924 Copyright of "Skirts" in Library of Congress in Washington, DC

April 25, 1928 Recordings List of RecordingsBold text By Victor Record Co. Camden, NJ "My Song of Songs to You" Shaw, (vocal) "Why Do You Make Me Lonesome?" (vocal) "Some Little Someone" - Brown, Morris, Shaw, (Vocal) "You've Broken My Castle of Dreams"Sara R Henry (talk) 00:54, 2 June 2009 (UTC)

May 22, 1928 "Louise, I Love You"... "I'd Trade My Air Castles For A Love Nest And You"... "Lonesome"

December 5, 1928 "Just You and I" - Madsen, (Vocal)... "Found My Gal" - Brown, Fellman, Morris, (Vocal)... "I Know Why I Think of You" - Madsen, (Vocal) "When Shadows Fall" ... "Shame On You" - Brown, Fellman, Morris, (Vocal)... "My Little Old Home Down In New Orleans"

February 7, 1934 By Bluebird and Sunrise "Dancing In the Moonlight" - Wolter, (Vocal) By Bluebird ... "Dancing In the Moonlight" - Wolter, (Vocal) By Sunrise ... "Carioca" (Rumba) By Bluebird ... "Carioca" (Rumba) By Sunrise ... "There Goes My Heart" - Wolter, (Vocal) By Bluebird ... "There Goes My Heart" - Wolter, (Vocal) By Sunrise ... "Don't Say Goodnight" - Shaw, (Vocal) By Bluebird ... "Don't Say Goodnight" - Shaw, (Vocal) By Sunrise ... "Goin' To Heaven On A Mule" (Vocal?) By Bluebird ... "Goin' To Heaven On A Mule" (Vocal?) By Sunrise ... "I Can't Go On Like This" - Wolter (Vocal) By Bluebird ... "I Can't Go On Like This" - Wolter (Vocal) By Sunrise.Sara R Henry (talk) 20:35, 1 June 2009 (UTC) Sara R. Henry (talk) 19:23, 3 June 2009 (UTC)

Composer

“I Know Why I Think Of You” Words: Hank Hauser Music: Tal Henry 12/7/29 EUnp 14155

“Just You and I” Words: Walter Fellman Music: Tal Henry 6/3/29 EUnp 7413

“Shame on You” Words: Ivan Morris Music: Tal Henry 12/7/29 EUnp 14158

“Louise” Words: Hank Hauser Music: Tal Henry

“Why Do You Make Me Lonesome” Words: I. Morris, F. Ellsworth Music: Tal Henry

“Skirts” Words: Tal Henry and Guy Funk Date: 1923 Music: Tal Henry and Guy Funk Copyright: 1924

Sara R. Henry (talk) 19:33, 3 June 2009 (UTC) Warner Bros. Victor Recording Vitaphone Film 1928

Background information

Birth name Talmadge Allen Henry (Tal)

Born July 10, 1898

Origin Maysville, Georgia, USA

Died August 17, 1967

Genre(s) Jazz

Occupations(s) Bandleader/Composer

Violin

Associated acts

Bob Hope Kay Kyser Hal Kemp Vincent Lopez Fred Waring Paul Whiteman Dorsey Brothers

Contents

1. “Prince of Personality” 2. Career 3. Movie Appearances 4. Radio and TV 5. Compositions 6. Major Recordings 7. Personal life 8. Legacy 9. Honors 10. Quotations 11. See also 12. Notes 13. References 14. External links

OlinBroadway (talk) 22:54, 12 June 2009 (UTC)

Career

1920’s, 1930’s, 1940’s, 1995

Book: "Tal Henry and His North Carolinians Orchestra" A Pictorial History, by Sara R. Henry Author, daughter-in-law of Tal Henry (2008) 419 pages with 330 or more colored photos and black and white photos and memorabilia.Sara R. Henry (talk) 02:19, 9 June 2009 (UTC) Sara R. Henry (talk) 02:21, 9 June 2009 (UTC) Sara R. Henry (talk) 19:30, 3 June 2009 (UTC) Category:Music Groups

Sara R Henry (talk) 13:58, 1 June 2009 (UTC) Sara R Henry (talk) 14:00, 1 June 2009 (UTC) Sara R Henry (talk) 14:09, 1 June 2009 (UTC) Sara R Henry (talk) 14:14, 1 June 2009 (UTC) Sara R Henry (talk) 15:05, 1 June 2009 (UTC) Sara R Henry (talk) 15:22, 1 June 2009 (UTC) Sara R Henry (talk) 15:25, 1 June 2009 (UTC)Sara R Henry (talk) 15:33, 1 June 2009 (UTC) OlinBroadway (talk) 15:00, 8 June 2009 (UTC) OlinBroadway (talk) 15:20, 8 June 2009 (UTC)

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tal_Henry" --OlinBroadway (talk) 13:56, 9 June 2009 (UTC) OlinBroadway (talk) 14:13, 9 June 2009 (UTC) OlinBroadway (talk) 11:19, 10 June 2009 (UTC) OlinBroadway (talk) 20:51, 10 June 2009 (UTC) OlinBroadway (talk) 23:07, 12 June 2009 (UTC) OlinBroadway (talk) 13:03, 13 June 2009 (UTC) OlinBroadway (talk) 18:37, 26 June 2009 (UTC)